My greatest regret as NAFDAC boss, by Akunyili

Yenagoa—Former Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Prof. Dora Akunyili, yesterday, said her greatest regret as NAFDAC boss was her inability to bring to fruition the establishment of drug marts in the country.

Akunyili, who spoke at the launch of a drug mart in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said it was an idea she had nursed over the years but could not actualise the dream during her stay in office.

She lauded Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State for initiating the move to establish a drug mart in the state, saying it remains one of the most practical ways of eliminating fake and counterfeit drugs from the country.

She said: “I have nursed the idea of the drug mart for many years right from when I was Director General of NAFDAC, and my inability to bring it to fruition before now remained one of my greatest regrets. Today, I feel fulfilled that the pragmatic governor of Bayelsa State has bought the idea and decided to partner my non-governmental organization, Dora Akunyili Foundation for Safe Medicines, to actualise the dream of putting in place a drug mart or drug distribution centre in Bayelsa State.

“It is one of the most practical ways by which fake and counterfeit drugs can be eliminated in the country.”